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“Because there were no (Estidama) standards at that time we took it upon ourselves to bring on the best standards that we knew out there, which was the LEED system, and apply that on Sowwah Island,” he said.
The Sowwah Square towers feature a double glazing system with a built in air pocket that allows for a reduction of heat transfer from the exterior. It also has condensation units in between the panes, so any condensation runs into a collection system which is used as gray water within the development as a whole. Floor to ceiling glass allows more light to come in, and shades on the western elevation reduce the heat gain of the building.
“The idea is that these architects coming in will have a base standard that is of great quality, and then they can expand upon that as much as their respective developers would want,” Al-Shamsi said.
Despite the pace of development of phase one, Al-Shamsi said there is little worry that phase two and three will lag behind, leaving a half finished development, the sort of which can be seen all over Dubai. Mubadala has clauses written into the contracts that stipulate a strict timeline of planning, design, construction and completion for developers.
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“In general, within the sale of every plot we’re given the owner or developer a five year life span, to start working, get things on the ground. So there is not situation where you left with empty lots,” Al-Shamsi said.
“We won’t sell the land to somebody and have them wait to see whether the price will improve, we’re doing it the other way around. We take longer to sell and reach an agreement, until we know that they want to build. We’ve learned from some of the master developments in the UAE that went wrong, and are working very hard to prevent that happening,” he said.
Development so far…
Sowwah Square
Sowwah Square comprises four office towers and the new headquarters of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). As of June 2010, 3 of 4 commercial towers have reached their final heights, façade installation is underway and retail podium and car parks are structurally complete.
Completion date: Towers 1 and 2 due for completion in Q1 2011.
Architects: Goettsch Partners
Development so far…
Rosewood Abu Dhabi
This business-focused luxury hotel is located on the waterfront adjacent to Sowwah Square. It will be 34-storeys high and include 189 guest rooms and 139 serviced apartments. Enabling works are now complete and construction work on the site has recently commenced.
Completion date: 2012
Architect: Handel Architects
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Development so far…
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
The award-winning Cleveland Clinic will serve local and international patients, and is due to be Abu Dhabi’s first high-end medical facility. Enabling works are complete and construction has now commenced and is on schedule for completion in 2012.
Completion date: 2012
Architect: Henningson, Durham and Richardson International and Aedas Architects
Sowwah in numbers
75,000
The expected working population of the island once complete
13
The number of bridges linking Sowwah with the rest of Abu Dhabi
5.4
the length of the boardwalk that will surround the island
5,200
The number of off-street parking spaces included at Sowwah Square
30,000
The expected residential population of the island
105
The size in hectares of the site
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